What do you look for in your FC when you consider joining a new one?

First, an invite. I don't really look for an FC/guild to join unless I already know someone in the guild. So initiating an invite is a start, and I mean via tell/whisper as I don't usually read advertisements in chats and I turn off guild invites in any game that has that option (busy status in FFXIV doesn't count since it's not permanent).

Second, not be too exclusive. It's fine if you have a focus in RP or raiding or something else, but if you require in-character interview to join or you want to see parses or if you only want experienced raiders and not taking anyone new to raiding, then it's not for me.

Third, buffs, which are bare minimum even if FC is not active.

Fourth, being active together in some way is a bonus. I prefer to participate in PVE instanced activities, but I'd be happy just knowing the FC is active even if it's not an activity I would participate, like chocobo racing.

"Look for" an FC? I just accepted the first random invite that didn't have an ugly FC name.

I'm the leader of my own FC, but I use leader in loose terms, since I see it as not my FC, but the FC of everyone who is in it. The only reason I even made my FC is because the one I was in previously, the leader wanted the admins to do nothing but help new leafs clear content, and basically forgo what we wanted to do, which was roulettes and end-game content. In the end, a bunch of us got fed up and left, since the FC was legit filled with nothing but new leafs, and the leader only cared about having the highest member count, ignoring the fact over 80% of the members never logged on or barely at all.

Long story short, I basically wanted an FC where people felt welcomed, could come on and chat with others, whether in FC chat or in our Discord. If new leafs needed help, we'd help out, without being required to do so, and if we wanted to do roulettes, end-game content, maps, need something crafted, etc. we could ask and get the help. We have the standard EXP and Reduced Rates II buffs up, though we sometimes swap out the EXP buff for crafting or gathering buffs, depending on if people are leveling crafters or gatherers or both. I am all about having a small member-base, I don't need 200+ members and only about 20 of them log on, because I don't care about having the biggest FC on Famfrit, I just wanted an FC of friends from my previous FC, and make new friends if people join.

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Originally Posted by TwistedTea

Also, on this note, I cringe when I see FC recruitment ads,stating that the FC "is friendly,social,will be your second family, LGBTQ inclusive..."

Like duh, is there an FC out there that thinks,"Gee, it would be great to be exclusionary anti-social a-holes"

6. So this is more of a personal gripe and perhaps an age thing but I often see FCs advertise themselves as for "mature people,18+, who like to make adult jokes from time to time".

Often this translates to, chat/Discord is mostly going to be filled with NSFW stuff. If a FC's collective maturity and humour revolve mainly around NSFW stuff, that's a red flag for me.

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On the first part I quoted; yeah they do exist but FCs full of bigotry don’t advertise it and often refuse to believe that making racist or gay bashing comments all day long in their discord is actually bigoted. They just call you a snowflake, and complain about how unfair it is that people don’t like bigots anymore... and eventually you leave them...

You get:
Dude says a list of racist stuff...
You say, hey dude is racist and needs to be dealt with.
They say; that’s not nice to accuse people that say your RL race should be “dealt with” of racism, you should stop being a snowflake.
So you think... which of us is actually being a snowflake there? If dude can’t handle being called out for his hate...


Left an FC a few weeks ago for all that...

On the second point yeah. If they advertise “mature” it pretty much means they aren’t. I used to only join mature guilds in MMOs but found all kinds of stupid going on. I kept thinking “this is good because I don’t have to be wary of kids misbehaving”...
Then I happened to join a family friendly guild and found... people were nicer and the “kids” better behaved than the “mature” people had been... since then in various games I find if I look for family friendly they’re actually nicer and less problematic...

We build our FC the way we would expect an FC to work.

Community
Playing together and hanging out together. Doing dungeons, roulettes, raids together as well as just chilling out in the FC house. Talk to each other and be respectful of other opinions. This is probably the pillar each community stands on. Doing things together as a community and talk to each other with the understanding that everyone is different and has right on his own point of view.

Events
This is basically just a sub-category to community. We provide events every weekend. It doesn't have to be big events with lot of rewards. Sometimes we organize fun events like chocobo racing, dungeon time runs or stuff. Other times we just come together for fate or mount farm parties or treasure hunts. Having them regularly like once a week and allowing people to attend them voluntarly strengthens the bond between players. No one should feel pressured to attend a treasure map just because it is event time. Those things should always be up to them - if they want to join: Cool beans. If not - No worries. Just do whatever you want to do in your game time.

No pressure
There is a lot of content to play and a lot of different things that people enjoy. You can always ask if someone joins you for a specific activity but don't be mad if they don't want to because they are busy or they don't like the content. In most cases you will find people who are willing to help out but if sometimes no-one is into it, don't get salty.

Transparency
The FC leads should be transparent with their choices and should listen to the wishes and desires of their members. Let your members know what you are doing in the workshop and why. You want to keep loot from treasure maps for FC events? That is alright but let you mates know and don't sit on the items for half a year but actually use them for rewards.

Class before mass
Don't recruit blindly just to fill in your ranks. It is okay to start of with a group of four people. Get to know people before you invite them to your FC. Maybe do a dungeon with them - have a little small talk - see if their goals confirm with the goals of your FC. You don't want rude people in an otherwise friendly community.

Since I've recently switched servers and FC :

1. Do I know anyone in the FC?
2. Are they active?
3. Interesting name/tag?
4. Focus
5. Mentality
6. Support

I consider the following, before joining

Recruitment method
Blind invites are a no-go. The recruitment tell or shout needs put me in a good mood for that FC;

FC info
When I check FC informations, an empty slogan and/or welcome text is not a good sign;

Number of members
If "too much" (40+), I fear to end up as just as a number, so I'd prefer smaller FCs;

Aftermath
Maybe a slightly off the topic, but the few days after joining are still important for the decision, because I'd like to "feel" the FC is as it was "advertised" from recruiter. If two worlds apart, I won't last a week.

I share your ideal Mi An, but I go a little higher with the number of members. 100+ and I'm not joining. Also the FC leader better not be trying to purposely kill me in dungeon runs.

Goal orientated. Collective success. An example is I dont craft but I run content ,gather and raid like cool. Patch day dropped and I got all the mats in 1 day for everyone to have at least 2 crafted peices for free. I donate the mats I get the services extra goes to others who contributed. No one keeps a tally. It helps because it saved me gil and time and saved others gil and time.

Im a sprout, so when i look for a community be it FC or linkshells i want to feel welcome. As a sprout you sometimes ask some really silly question, but i think what i want is not just a mere "answer", but interaction. Because you cant do content with high level players yet, so the most i can contribute to an FC/LS is asking question, or discussing the lore(sometimes also sharing meme/anime/other hobby or.... lewd)

I think its nice if you do some small interview before accepting new members, it will break the ice and set both of your expectation of whats to come. I can see why interview can make some people hesitate tho, but imo, its a good start to create a relationship

And I dont like if its too big, even if its only 30 players sometimes they already have their own group. Some people will only talk with a certain people, you say "Hello" or "Hi" in-game chat or discord and no one reply. But once a "special" someone login, they will flock like a trash mob wanting to get spanked by the tank. i mean, whats the point of recruiting others if you and your set of friend can't open up to them???

Also, i think its nice when you, as a leader notice what the other is doing. sending them tell to just ask "whats up" or "how far you have progressed with the msq" it'll create a nice atmosphere in the FC i think. of course this is impossible to do if you have a lot of members online. which is why small-med size FC is better in my opinion.

btw, sorry for my crappy english. wish you the best ♥